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For Immediate Release Contact: Kim Pargoff, Environment Dr. Martin Kushler, American Council
for an Energy Efficient Economy: 517-655-7037 David Pettit, PIRGIM: 734-662-6597; 404-432-1610
(cell) 21st
Century Energy Recommendations: A Fledgling Step on the Path to Governor, Legislature Must Improve Plan to Lead Proposed funding for energy efficiency and renewable electricity
generation standards in The Public Service Commission’s proposal, which includes a
roadmap to a new coal-fired power plant prepaid by ratepayers and improvements
in efficiencies and renewable electricity, does not do enough to stabilize
electricity costs, protect the environment and public health, or move the state
toward energy independence. Bolder steps are needed to achieve the
Governor’s vision of making But it’s not too late. In order to move “Energy efficiency doesn’t sound sexy, but it’s the
cheapest, fastest and cleanest energy resource available to Renewable sources of electricity also need more support from the plan. “Today’s
plan calls for 10 percent of Promoting energy efficiencies and adding more renewable electricity
sources like wind turbines and solar power will help reduce “We’re sending the equivalent of $2,000 for every man,
woman and child in the state somewhere else to provide our energy. With energy
efficiency and renewables we could be keeping more of it here, providing new
jobs for Clean renewable power, along with more aggressive utility-funded energy
efficiency programs, would eliminate the need for a new pollution-spewing coal
plant in the near future. That would be a blessing for thousands of asthmatics,
the elderly, and others susceptible to respiratory ailments and cancers caused
by power plant pollution. Energy efficiency and renewables would also boost
efforts to reduce poisons like mercury, a neurotoxin that is responsible for
fish consumption advisories on every lake in Efficiencies and green power, which are virtually free of greenhouse
gas emissions, are essential for cutting the enormous volumes of carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gasses released by traditional power plants. Energy efficiency programs and renewable power also would diversify the
state’s coal-dependent energy system, providing more stable electricity
rates and helping guard against catastrophic failures like the 2003 blackout. “Such a heavy reliance on coal is a relic of the past century,
and an increasingly dangerous and fragile method of putting all our energy eggs
in one basket,” said David Pettit, consumer advocate with the Public
Interest Research Group in A coalition of environmental, conservation, religious and businesses
has coalesced behind two key goals: (1)
an aggressive statewide utility funded energy efficiency program, with at least
an average of $146 million per year in funding over the next 10 years (the
amount modeled by the 21st Century Energy Plan study group); and (2)
a Renewable Portfolio Standard requiring a minimum 13 percent renewable
electricity by 2015 and a longer-term goal of 20 percent by 2020. Organizations calling for 13 percent renewable energy by 2015 and 20 percent
by 2020 include: American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Clean Water
Action, East Michigan Environmental Action Council, Friends of the Detroit
River, Izaak Walton League of America Dwight Lydell Chapter, Izaak Walton
League of America Michigan Chapter, Lone Tree Council, Environment Michigan, Michigan
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan
Interfaith Power and Light, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, National
Environmental Trust, PIRGIM, and the Sierra Club Mackinac Chapter. ### |